Lewisville in Denton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Champion - Macedonia Cemetery
Photographed by Joe Lotz, August 22, 2026
1. Champion - Macedonia Cemetery Marker
In 1881, African American farmer James “Jim” Champion (d. 1924) and his wife, Antonette (Cassady), purchased 80 acres on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. By the time the couple sold the land in 1902, a family cemetery existed on the property. The cemetery was later opened to those outside the Champion family and many founding members of the black community in Lewisville were buried at Champion. The earliest gravestone is that of Laura Wright (d. 1875).
Macedonia Cemetery, formerly known as Mt. Olive Cemetery, was deeded in 1899 as a cemetery for the African American people of Lewisville. In 1900, deacons for Mt. Olive Colored Baptist Church (established 1885) bought the property for a church site and maintained the cemetery until at least the mid-20th century. The earliest gravestone is that of George McKenzie (d. 1880).
In 1953, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers seized the site of Champion Cemetery and surrounding properties by eminent domain as part of a flood control project that would eventually form Lewisville Lake. Official documents cite 51 graves from Champion Cemetery were reinterred to the Mt. Olive Cemetery site between June and December of 1953. Mt. Olive’s property was selected as a prime relocation site for the Champion burials due to the strong ties between community members buried in Champion and Mt. Olive.
Sometime later, Macedonia Baptist Church, a Lewisville church organized in 1885, assumed care of Mt. Olive Cemetery, and the cemetery was renamed. Macedonia had close relationships to the community and families buried in both cemeteries. Three of the eight founders of Macedonia, John Gordon, Gilbert Brotherton and L.D. Berry, were interred at Mt. Olive. Today, these two still-active cemeteries on one site share a special unified history of the Lewisville community.
Erected 2022
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1953.
Location. 33° 1.434′ N, 96° 59.136′ W. Marker is in Lewisville, Texas, in Denton County. It is on South Stemmons Freeway north of Lakepointe Drive. This cemetery is off the highway nestled behind the car dealership. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1452 S Stemmons Fwy, Lewisville TX 75067, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lane Chapel C.M.E. Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Milliken House (approx. 1.8 miles
Photographed by Joe Lotz, August 22, 2026
2. Champion - Macedonia Cemetery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2026, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2026, by Joe Lotz of Flower Mound, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
